03x07 - I Run to You

[bunniefuu]

This is my boyfriend... Joel Stephens.

The Cicada's Lament is my favorite book ever.

Zoe, I love you, but I don't even know if I can write here.

Halloween night, you said you had something special planned.

You thought I was gonna propose?

This isn't an ultimatum.

I just need to know we're on the same path.

Brick seems meaner than usual.

He and Shelby were gonna elope, but he broke up with her instead, which he obviously regrets.

Meet my brothers: Rudy, Rocket, and the scruffy one's Chicken.

I love my brothers, but chaos follows them.

We are not going to get together.

Lavon would break my kneecaps.

Look me in the eye and tell me you don't want to kiss me.

(George and Lynly laughing)

George: Oh, Lyn... (Kisses)

...As much as I hate to say it, I think that it's time we get ready and go to relay practice.

Isn't one of the perks of being the assistant coach that you can be late?

No. Lynly...

Fillmore has won the Mobile Bay Cross-

Country Relay Race four straight years.

Which means BlueBell has lost four straight years.

And if we lose a fifth straight year, do you know what happens?

We don't get asked back a sixth...

Asked back a sixth time.

...time.

Mm-hmm.

Look, we have a real good sh*t at winning with you on the team, and I promised Lavon victory.

You're so adorable when you dork out.

But you know what? Uh... speaking of Lavon...

(Clears throat)

...Do you feel weird at all that we haven't told him about this?

Because I... I do.

That depends on what exactly "this" is.

If it's a relationship, I totally agree.

We should tell him now.

I'll go get my phone.

Oh, no, no, hold on. No, no.

I... you know, I could... I don't know that I would call it that.

(Laughs) We don't really need to label it.

You know, but we should tell him something.

So how would that conversation go, exactly?

"Hey, Lavon, I'm having non-committal sex with your beloved cousin."

Mm-mm.

Wow, that really does not sound good, does it?

Not if you like your face.

Oh, boy. I do. I re...

I really do like it.

♪

Were you trying to stare me awake again?

No.

But now that you're awake, what's going on?

You were not here when I went to bed last night.

What time did you get in?

Uh...

I don't know.

Um, sometime between last call and, um... now.

Huh.

Last call...? I-I thought you were writing last night.

You know, a lot of writers drink while they're working.

Ernest Hemingway, uh, Dorothy Parker, F. Scott Fitzgerald...

So you were writing.

No, I blew it off to play pool with Wade.

Oh.

(Laughs)

All right, what, uh...

What's with the judgey "Oh"?

No, it's Wade. I don't get why you like hanging out with him.

He's an irresponsible derelict, and you are not.

Wade is hilarious.

He tells the funniest stories.

Stories? Like what? About who?

Well, no, it's not... It's more like the way that he looks at things.

I mean, the guy does not have a care in the world.

It is amazing to be around someone like that.

Well, yeah, unless you care about the world.

All right, look, I have to get to work, and apparently, so do you.

Happy writing.

Happy doctoring.

(Stopwatch beeps) All right, not bad.

Not bad, but we can do better.

Now, look, Fillmore is not gonna let us live it down if we lose on our home turf.

So catch your breath, and then we're gonna work on hand-offs, all right?

You and I both know those times aren't where they need to be.

Want me to start training, just in case you need to drop the dead weight?

Uh, Meatball and Crickett are our alternates.

We-we got it covered.

Yeah. Yeah, sure. No problem.

Cramp! Cramp. Cramp.

Oh, oh, we-we cannot have our star runner with a Charley horse.

Uh, George, massage Lynly's calf.

Uh, but I was just about to give my motivational speech on how the mind is our most important muscle.

That can wait. Calf.

Yo, hit me, T.L.

My pleasure.

(Sighs): Ah.

Ew!

Aren't you all sweaty?

Well, I have just the treat for all your hard work. Homemade jam.

I love jam!

No jam for the runners.

Annabeth: Oh. Um...

So, I haven't seen you in a while.

How you been?

Good.

You know, busy with the team.

Hmm.

Uh, you?

Good. So good.

Busy with my jamming.

Yeah, you seem to be enjoying that.

Oh, yes, it's a fascinating process.

You know, sanitizing the jars and skimming the foam and testing the gel...

Yeah, that-that does sound fascinating.

Um, so...

Any chance you'd... like to have dinner tonight?

Sorry, I'm-I'm training.

At night?

I got training videos.

Gonna be watching them all night.

Can't be too prepared.

Yeah.

More time for jam!

(Laughs) Yeah.

Yay!

Okay.

Mm-hmm.

Be my taste buds.

Don Todd (Over TV): Don Todd in the horn of Africa.

An athletic stance...

I want a coffee and an explanation.

There is no explaining Don Todd.

No, what are you doing spending so much time with Joel?

I don't know. Painting each other's nails, braiding each other's hair.

I know what you're really up to.

Oh, yeah? What's that?

I don't know. But I know it's something, and I'm going to figure it out.

Good luck with that.

Don Todd: ...And run like hell!

Did you see those teeth?

I saw the omen.

They'll eat your car.

What am I gonna have today?

Well, let's see.

Yesterday, you had the eggs Hollandaise, the day before that, the crepes, and the day before that, the frittata, so I think that you've had everything on the menu.

You are right. Maybe it's time to try another restaurant.

Or we could eat at home.

Each of us in our own homes.

Lemon Meringue, look.

I know we have been spending a lot of time together, but I am worried about you.

You gave up the Rammer Jammer, your offer on Fancie's wasn't accepted...

Daddy, I'm looking for the next chapter in my life, and frankly, you should be doing the same.

Me?

Mm-hmm.

Well how did this become about me?

Well, I happen to know that Mrs. O'Connell just came back from her yoga retreat...

Oh. No.

...and it has been over a year since William passed, and you should ask her out.

No, I don't think so... you...

She is not my type.

And she has this oddly disturbing mole on her neck.

Daddy, you are making excuses.

Well, maybe I am, but I, uh...

The truth is, I'm just not over this whole Shelby mess.

I need more time.

Nonsense.

It has been over six months, and you broke up with Shelby because she was the wrong person for you and you wanted to find the right one.

You know it's true.

You know, all I know right now is I've lost my appetite.

Just can't stop thinking about that creepy mole...

(Groans): Oh.

Whew.

Getting ready to make the world's largest PB&J?

I've had a lot of time alone lately, so I've taken up jam-making!

But my house started to look like hoarders.

Jam edition, so I am sharing it.

Loganberry quince?

Yum. I think.

I don't even know what either of those things are.

Why are you alone? Where's Lavon?

Things with Lavon have been a little... strange.

A few weeks ago, I asked him to make sure that we're on the same path, and...

I didn't mean it as an ultimatum.

I even said, "This is not an ultimatum."

But all he heard was "ultimatum"?

Loud and clear.

Well, you need to talk to him and straighten things out.

I've tried.

But he doesn't want to have anything to do with me.

Well, then try again.

You have no choice.

Hey, on the bright side, though, loganberry quince...

It's actually pretty good.

(Phone ringing) Ooh, sorry. Joel's agent.

That's weird.

Hey, Bets, how are you?

Oh, no, I don't know why he's not answering his phone.

Huh.

Yeah, well, I'm sure there's an explanation for it.

I will have him give you a call.

Okay, bye.

Joel's first three chapters were due yesterday, and he didn't turn them in.

I didn't even know he had a deadline.

What do you think happened?

(Sighs) I know what happened.

Or who happened.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a bartender to k*ll, so...

Uh-bup-bup!

Mm-hmm.

Wade: Come on. Joel: Yep, that's right.

What is that, anyway?

That's-that's...

That's called fair play. Yeah.

"Fair"...?

Video games? What are you doing playing video games?

Your agent just called me because you weren't answering your phone.

Your chapters were due yesterday.

Did you know that?

I'm sorry, I didn't realize we had any homework, mom.

(Laughs)

Well, you shouldn't have kept him out all night.

And you shouldn't be exploding bad guys now!

I don't know why you're yelling at me.

I was just at my work, pouring beers like a responsible adult, when in comes this guy, begging for me to blow it off.

Is that true?

That is so not like you.

Yeah, well, you know what else isn't like me?

Is, um, sitting down at my computer and not being able to write a word.

What-what are you saying?

Oh, what am I saying?

Uh, I guess I'm-I'm...

I'm saying I'm broken.

Okay? My first book was... It was clearly some kind of, uh, you know, monkeys typing Shakespeare, uh, type of fluke, and I'm terrified that all it did was set me up for an epic sophomore slump.

Uh, because now every thought that comes into my head, there's just this voice that just yells, "No! Not good enough!"

And now, the thoughts don't even come around anymore, so...

That's what I'm, you know, dealing with here.

Okay.

It's okay. You know what? We're gonna get through this.

But first, we need to get you home.

Wade: Or... (Clears throat)

We could play one more game.

Don't you think you've done enough?

Bye, Joel.

Thanks, man.

(Booing)

(Car horn honks)

(Seagulls calling)

(Birds singing)

Season 3, Episode 7

"I Run To You"

Hey, uh, sorry to interrupt.

Oh, no, no, no.

It's an honor, Joel Stephens.

Okay. Look, writing here isn't working.

My germ-phobia is in overdrive, the smooth jazz is k*lling me, and that "brain smoothie" you gave me is not sitting well.

You're fine. You know, just take...

(Inhales) Deep breaths.

I think I need a Valium or a Vicodin or a Xanax.

Really, any of your...

Any of the alphabet dr*gs.

I can give you a lollipop!

Okay.

Look.

Just stay calm, okay?

I will be out soon.

Um, what was that?

Oh, Joel has writer's block.

No!

He's gonna be fine; I'm helping him.

I have been counting down the days until his next book comes out, 247.

Your heart is actually racing.

If Joel Stephens can't write, his fans will blame you, and fans are the meanest people there are.

Blame me? No, they should blame Wade, you know, because he's the one who's been enabling him.

All I know is Joel Stephens was able to write just fine until you came along.

(Gasps)

What if you're his Yoko Ono?

Yoko did not hurt John Lennon's creativity.

She was his muse.

Yeah, but all anyone remembers is she k*lled the Beatles.

You don't want to be the one that k*lled Joel Stephens.

(Clapping)

Race is in two days, people.

We got to make this count!

Wally, do you want to be seen as the team old guy?

Pick up the pace, man.

Meatball, do you always want to be an alternate?

Come on, dig deeper, dig deeper.

Lynly, tone it down just a little bit.

You're making people feel bad.

George, you know, you may be assistant coach, but it doesn't mean you get out of practicing.

Hit it.

Yes, sir.

Oh, no.

No. Yo, Gainey.

You know this ain't Fillmore, right?

I mean, you can tell because we can actually see each other through the air.

Well, I'm having my team train here in BlueBell just so they'll get a little taste of how it feels when they win here in BlueBell.

It's a shame you didn't tell me the plan.

I-I could've saved you the trip.

I got a secret w*apon this year.

Oh, you see, uh, my cousin, Lynly, went to college on a track scholarship.

Won state championship, uh, twice.

So that thing you're gonna be tasting, it's, uh, defeat.

(Grunts, chuckles)

Wade: Just 'cause I was married to your sister doesn't mean you get free beer.

Six beers.

No.

Fine, nine beers.

No.

Look, y'all snuck out the bathroom window last night just to skip out on a bill.

Uh, 12 beers.

What are y'all doing here, anyway?

You get run out of whatever the hell swamp y'all live in?

Bar near our house won't serve us anymore 'cause we didn't pay our tab.

Don't tell him that.

We thought you'd serve us 'cause we're family.

We used to be married to your sister.

Your mother? Your sis...

Look, clearly somebody served y'all beer this morning. Go back there, okay?

'Cause you're not getting any here.

But we're thirsty.

I got that.

Are you saying we're not good for the money?

Hey, you're not as dumb as you look.

Yes, we are.

You're gonna regret this, Wade.

Oh, all right.

So thirsty.

Let's get out of here.

Hi.

So I have been doing some reading on studies of writer's block, and they suggested recreating an environment of success.

So, I'm going to turn the Rammer Jammer into Luna.

It's the New York café where Joel wrote The Cicada's Lament.

That is the dumbest idea you've ever had, and you are chock-full of dumb ideas.

Zoe, I'm trying to run a business here, okay?

You owe me, because you're the one who distracted him.

Can't help it if your boyfriend finds me irresistible.

You're just a novelty to him.

You and Joel are nothing alike, and I'd like to keep it that way.

Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.

Hey.

(Sighs)

Hey, I know you don't have time for dinner, so I thought maybe we could share a quick pastry.

I-I'm a little busy right now.

Oh, that's why they're bite-sized.

I'm sorry, Annabeth, but this is the last practice before the race.

Every second counts.

Are you sure?

Of course, yeah.

Go BlueBell!

Hey, Lavon, have you decided an order for the runners?

Uh, no, not yet.

Well, how hard can it be?

Obviously Lynly's the anchor, George is the starter.

That leaves me and Wanda.

The pickin' chicken could decide!

I will make a decision when I'm good and ready.

I don't need anybody pressuring me.

I want to see three-minute miles now.

(Whistle blows) Go.

Go on.

(Sighs)

Yeah, Lavon, you know three-minute miles are impossible, right?

So?

Is everything all right, man?

It's just that, uh...

A.B. gave me an ultimatum.

I mean, she said, "This isn't an ultimatum," but we all know that's code for "This is a big fat ultimatum."

Oh, yeah.

Our whole relationship is all wonky.

Every time I look in her face, all I see is a question mark and a clock.

Well, what are you gonna do?

I don't know.

Keep avoiding her.

(Chuckles)

Well, good idea.

(Chuckles)

But if that doesn't work, then just let me know if there's anything I can do to help, all right?

You always got my back, Tucker.

No matter what.

Oh.

(Door opens)

Edward.

How nice to see you.

Lemon. Hello.

Um, I'm sorry about how things ended up with Fancie’s.

Oh, nonsense. I mean, the highest bidder's the highest bidder.

But just out of curiosity, who was the lucky buyer?

Uh...

I'm not at liberty to say.

It's business.

Oh.

Um, I should be going.

But you just got here.

Uh-huh. Bye-bye.

George: Look, Lavon is my friend, and every time I look him in the face and I don't say something about us, I feel...

I feel like I'm lying to him.

But just to be clear, we're still not in a relationship?

Not in a relationship per se, but we have to say something to him, anything.

You know what it is?

It's his eyes.

'Cause every time you look into his eyes, you just want to spill everything.

Don't make me do it anymore, please.

Okay, but can we wait until after the race?

It means so much to him.

I don't want to ruin it.

Of course.

Good. And on the plus side, we don't have to wait to do this.

Oh.

All right.

But I do, hey, I do have to say, that I heard that runners should not do something like this before a race.

Hasn't hurt us before.

Hmm.

Oh! Oh!

Ow.

Are-are you okay?

Oh, my knee!

Okay, no, no, just sit down, sit down, sit down.

Just sit right there. I'm gonna call Brick or Zoe right away.

(Sighs)

I've had this happen before.

Not a sex injury, my knee.

And I know what they're gonna say.

I won't be running in the race.

♪

Man (Chanting): Oh, hey, what do you say?

Runners: We love to run every day.

Man: One, two, three, four.

Gainey: Come on, Dusty, work, work! Drive them long legs, drive them!

You ain't in first place, you're in last place.

(Stopwatch beeps)

(Chuckles)

Oh, Lavon.

(Clears throat)

Have you met my new runner?

Dusty Lemaire.

So named because he will leave you in the dust.

(Chuckles)

Go on, get back to training now. Go on.

Okay, I tried to make it just like you described it.

Black and white cookies were just delivered.

Tom Long painted some weird art on the walls, and I got you a crappy couch that is comfortable enough to write on, but not too comfortable that you'll fall asleep.

I can't believe you went through all the trouble.

Oh, it was no trouble.

Plus, Tom got to work through some of his anger in the painting, you know.

So it's a win-win.

Ashtray.

Do I smoke now?

No.

Remember, you told me that Luna smelled like stale smoke.

By the way, you know how hard it is to find someone who smokes these days?

Way to go, human beings.

I'd ask you what you want, but what's the point?

We're all gonna die anyway.

How did you know there was a Goth waitress?

There is always a Goth waitress.

Okay, you write, and then I'll check on you later.

Oh, but be careful.

There's a homeless guy eyeing your cookies.

Good luck.

It should be in there...

Carolee O'Connell, 10:00?

I don't see your name anywhere, but, oh, oh, could I offer you some rose petal jam for your inconvenience?

Well...

Mrs. O'Connell?

Please. Carolee.

Hi, Dr. Breeland.

Oh, Brick.

Wow, I haven't seen you in ages, and may I say you-you look wonderful.

(Chuckles) It's all yoga.

Oh.

It changed my life.

And I finally got rid of that ridiculous mole.

Oh, I never noticed.

Uh, what can I do to help you?

Well, Lemon and I ran into each other yesterday, and she told me I was due for some booster sh*ts.

She said to come in this morning.

Oh, she did, did she?

Um, unfortunately, you are completely booked up.

Oh, uh, nonsense.

Why, we always have time to see an old friend.

Uh, this way.

Stupid knee.

I can't tell you how sorry I am about this.

What-what are you apologizing for?

It's not like you did it on purpose.

No, but I know how important this race is to you.

I didn't want to let you down.

What?

You could never let me down.

That's the kind of relationship we have.

Look, there is nothing that you could do or say that would ever make me think less of you.

Don't you know that?

Lynly?

Lavon, I have to tell you something.

(Phone ringing)

Oh, hey.

Lynly: I might have made a teensy mistake and told Lavon we're together.

Oops.

I really hope you're kidding.

Nope, so you might want make a quick escape, because Lavon is definitely headed your way.

(Pounding on door) Tucker!

Uh, he's here.

I need to talk to you.

Yeah, yeah. (Chuckles)

I see you've heard the great news!

Oh, Lynly told me everything, including why she can't run tomorrow.

Oh, wow, she really went for it.

I can't believe I didn't hear it from you!

All that time, you looking me in the eye and didn't tell me.

Yeah, see, that is exactly what I said, Lavon, but out of deference to Lynly’s wishes, I was... I was just waiting for the right time.

Oh, that's a crappy excuse.

And this is a bad situation.

Now, you know she was vulnerable.

And you said yourself, you're damaged goods.

That is true.

That is very true.

But I was completely up front with Lynly about all of that, and she said she wanted to be there for me while I healed.

My cousin is nobody's band-aid.

Now, you stop seeing Lynly...

Or you're out of the race.

(Chuckles) Wait a minute.

Are-are you giving me an ultimatum?

Just make your choice.

You can't tell me who I can and cannot see.

You're fired from the team.

What? Excuse-excuse me?

No, you can't fire me, Lavon, 'cause I-I quit!

(Mutters)

Hey, Joel.

How you doing? Did you get any writing done?

Yeah, I, uh, wrote a list of a hundred reasons why I suck, but I only got to 97.

Look, I-I really do appreciate everything that you have done, uh, but, um, it's not working for me.

So I'm just gonna call my agent and tell her that I can't do this.

Wh-what? No, no!

Yeah, yeah.

I'll just have her get me a job writing menus, maybe fortune cookies, or greeting cards.

No, wait, those have to rhyme.

Maybe I'll be a barber.

Joel, writing novels, that is your dream, okay? (Sighs)

Look, and your first book has already sold over half a million copies.

You were on the short list for the National Book Award. (Scoffs)

Come on. If it's not working here, then we'll just go somewhere else.

Wade: You can come over to my place.

Yeah, I get all sorts of great ideas over there.

Breakfast for dinner. What?!

Everyone thinks of that.

Yeah, well, he can come over, play some video games and blow off steam then.

Zoe: He has a deadline.

Yeah, and reminding him of that every five minutes isn't helping matters, now is it?

I'm sorry, but if you want to do something, you don't blow off steam.

You sit down and you get it done, okay?

And then when you finish, you can have fun because you've earned it.

Oh, wow. Thanks for the lesson in creativity, Picasso.

But you know, when I'm writing songs, the best stuff comes to me when I'm not even trying.

Yeah, that's how all the greatest events in history were accomplished: by not even trying!

Come on, Joel.

You know what? I want to give Wade's way a try.

You know, just chill out a little bit.

I'm sorry. "Chill out"?

Yeah, buddy.

Beer's in the fridge; you help yourself to whatever you want.

Thanks, man.

All right, adios.

Wha...?

I-I'm literally speechless.

Well, you said it was my fault.

I'm just trying to make it better.

By what, giving him every teenage boy's dream day?

Well, maybe, maybe not. At least he'll have a good time doing it.

(Sighs, gasps)

Spare any change?

Get a job!

♪

(Sighs)

Joel?

Joel!

Well, well, well.

Knew it was only a matter of time before you came knocking on my door again.

Where's Joel?

He's not here.

Which is probably a good thing, seeing as how desperate you are to get into my house.

Joel?! Joel?!

I'm telling you he's not here, all right?

He-he was gone when I got in.

Well, then where is he?

I don't know. Maybe he hopped a plane back to New York.

Don't know why, though. Your roadhouse version was so authentic.

Really? That's it?

I can't believe my boyfriend is missing!

I tried asking nicely, and that didn't work.

So now I'm demanding that you tell me who bought Fancie's.

I really wish you'd let this go.

(Chuckles): Oh, well, sadly, that is not in my nature.

So if you do not tell me, I will make one of your poor, tired workers cr*ck like a fine piece of China.

Lemon...

What is the problem?

I promise, whoever the buyer is, I can handle it!

It's not you I'm worried about.

(Stopwatch beeping)

(Panting)

I knew if I visualized being on the team, it would happen.

I should use this power for good.

I'm gonna visualize a tree that grows donuts.

That's a terrible use of a superpower.

Obviously, you should visualize a tree that grows money.

Then you can buy whatever kind of food you want.

Genius.

Meatball, 1:29.

Wanda, 1:25.

Wally, 1:22.

Y'all want to get your butts kicked?

It seems like it.

Look, not only did we lose our strongest runners, Fillmore's got a ringer.

Now, I need more from y'all!

Where the hell's Crickett?

She don't look so good.

(Stopwatch beeps)

Crickett, you're one minute slower than when you qualified. What's going on?

I don't know.

It's really hot today.

Uh-huh.

Are you following the team diet?

More or less.

Which is it, more or less?

I had a little jam.

A lot of jam.

Okay, I can't stop eating it!

At first, I limited it to just toast.

But then I wondered what else I could put it on...

Pancakes, pretzels, cheese.

That's right, cheese.

I thought it would be so disgusting that I'd stop.

Turns out, jam on cheese is delicious!

Okay.

Thank you for telling me.

Everybody rest up.

I'll see you at the race.

Yo, you got any more of that jam on cheese?

George: I just...

I just don't...

I just don't understand how out of all the possible times to tell Lavon everything... and apparently, you did tell him everything... why would you choose now to do it?!

I heard your stupid words in my head, and suddenly I felt guilty looking him in the eye and keeping it from him.

Well, that's just perfect.

Because now Lavon's mad at me for lying. (Chuckles)

And now I'm off the team 'cause I wouldn't stop seeing you.

That is four months of training just gone!

That is endless hours of strategizing just gone!

That is Bluebell's chance to win this whole thing... what is it, you guessed it... yeah, gone!

You quit the race because of me?

Yeah. I mean, what was I supposed to do?

You like me.

No! I mean, I do, yes.

Yes, I do.

But that's not why...

Look, I didn't pick you because...

Lavon is not the boss of me!

I'm just saying you had a pretty good reason to walk away.

But here you are.

You might not be as damaged as you think.

Hmm.

Maybe we are in a relationship.

(Door opens)

What's the matter?

Yeah, I'll tell you what's the matter.

Bluebell's gonna lose the race, and it's all your fault.

How is it my fault?

Because everything was fine unt...

Until your jam came along.

The runners were great, best team I ever had.

And then-then one day out of nowhere, you put your jam out there.

And now it's all anyone can think about.

Well, I'm sorry.

I worked hard on that jam.

I wanted to share it, take the jam to the next level.

Because sometimes people don't know they want jam unless you put it in front of them.

But you can't shove your jam down people's throats.

'Cause even if you like jam, it makes you not want it!

Well, maybe not, but jam has an expiration.

You can't just let it sit on the shelf forever!

So if you don't want my jam, then you need to tell me so I can take it elsewhere.

Jam.

Wade: Hey, so, uh, I got good news, and I got some bad news.

Good news is, I know where Joel is.

Thank God. Where?

Well, that's what you might consider the bad news.

Uh, just try not to do that whole overreacting thing you like to do.

(Clears throat)

(Gasps) Oh, my God! That's Joel!

Where is he? And why are his hands sort of tied?

Read the next text.

"We have your friend. Ha-ha-ha.

The Truitt brothers."

What is this?

I guess you'd consider it a ransom note.

What?

See, they owe me money, and they're holding Joel until I let them off the hook.

Wade Kinsella, you got my boyfriend kidnapped.

Yeah.

All right, come on.

Come on, Crickett. Come on.

Only 847 more to go.

Come on.

(Grunts)

I don't feel so good.

I think I'm going through withdrawal.

Jam withdrawal?

I also gave up the coffee I had with the jam.

A lot of coffee.

I can't feel my toes.

Problems with your team there, Lavon?

Butt out, Gainey.

You get DQ'd, you don't have four runners.

We have four runners.

Mm. Man, I knew I should have left the trophy in my case.

(Both chuckle)

We're screwed.

I did not come this far to give up now.

Lynly: Oh, that's not good.

What's not good?

Dusty Lemaire. I remember him from school.

He made State all six years of college.

Six years?

God doesn't give with both hands.

So Gainey brought in a ringer, huh?

Lavon must be dying.

You know what? I'll be right back.

Lavon, you got a second?

Look, Lynly and I, we're not going away.

So you can either bury your head in the sand and try and act like the situation doesn't exist, like you're doing with Annabeth and this... ultimatum, or you can grow up and you can accept it.

All right, hello, everybody! Hello!

Welcome to the Mobile Bay Cross-Country Relay Race.

Now if I can just have all the runners step up to the starting line, please.

Everybody who's running, come on now.

(Chuckles)

All: Bluebell!

What's it gonna be, Lavon?

All right, on your marks.

Get set.

(g*nsh*t)

(Crowd cheering)

Go, Wally, go! Go, boy!

Come on now!

All right, Wanda, you never ran so fast! (Laughs)

Go, Crickett, go!

♪

Woman: Wait, there he is!

(Crowd cheering, clamoring)

(Crowd cheering)

Crowd (Chanting): Bluebell! Bluebell! Bluebell!

(Chanting continues)

Don't get cocky.

She's gonna be coming back home to Fillmore next year.

In your dreams.

(Laughs)

(Crowd cheering)

(Door opens)

Oh, Lemonade.

I was, uh, just getting ready to head out and pick up Carolee.

We are having cocktails and dinner.

She wanted to do both.

That's nice, daddy, but...

And I need to thank you. You were absolutely right about her. She is lovely.

I don't even mind you sneaking behind my back and telling her to come see me.

Thank you, daddy, but...

And I was letting the past hold me back.

But no more. I am now ready to move forward.

Okay, well, before you start moving, there is something that I really need to show you.

(Grunts)

Well, personally, I don't blame Joel for running away.

He didn't run away, he was kidnapped.

Yeah, you're doing the same thing to him that you did with me and my music.

Pushing, pushing, pushing.

No, it's the exact opposite.

Your band sucked.

Hmm.

Joel's a genius!

(Brush rustling)

(Hawk screeches)

Wait!

I don't know what you're so mad about.

I'm just trying to help you be a better girlfriend.

Oh, relationship advice from Wade Kinsella?

Joel was right, you are hilarious.

I know what's really going on here.

Oh, this again.

Did you actually come up with something this time?

Yeah, you're sabotaging Joel because you think once he's out of the picture, I'll come back to you.

Sweetheart, I don't have to send Joel away for you to come back to me.

We all know the real reason is that you don't want me telling Joel that you're still in love with me.

You're delusional!

Don't worry, it's our little secret.

Okay, look, as a doctor, seriously, you need medical help.

Wade: All right. Before we do this thing, I got to ask you one question.

What?

You sure you want to rescue him?

I mean...

Ow.

(Groans)

Truitt brothers!

We know you have Joel! We want proof of life!

What are you doing?

I've seen movies.

We'll return Jo-El... if that's his real name... when you forgive our debt.

(Scoffs)

Tell them you'll negotiate.

I will NOT negotiate!

(Whispers): Do it!

I'm not enjoying the hitting.

(Sighs)

I know that you owe Wade money.

But if you don't have money, maybe you can offer something else in trade.

Yeah.

Jo-El.

Maybe you can work it off.

What can you do?

Well... uh...

Not a lot, actually.

Zoe: Okay.

Wade, you are apparently terrible at collecting bar tabs.

That's not true.

(Scoffs)

Truitt brothers, you are fairly good at scaring people.

So, what if you worked off your debt by helping Wade collect other people's debt.

That's not the worst idea you've ever had.

I always dreamed of being a heavy.

Never thought it could actually happen.

We accept your terms.

We're releasing the hostage.

Oh, my God.

Uh, we also want you to-to name a dish after us at your bar.

No.

I knew I should've said that sooner.

Hey!

Hey, hey.

Hi.

God, I'm so sorry.

Are you okay?

Look, I've had training in PTSD, so I can help.

Oh, no, no, no.

Are you kidding me?

This is the most amazing thing I've ever done in my life!

Really?

Well, yeah!

I had no idea that people lived like this.

You know, we had spray cheese and moonshine for breakfast.

And I swear to God, the raccoons in there, they outnumber the people.

Where's my computer?

I got to get all this down.

Bye, guys!

Chicken!

(Clucks) Okay, Jo-El.

(Laughs)

Happy trails.

So, thanks for coming over.

I've been trying to for days.

Look, I wish I didn't say what I said, but it's out there now.

And avoiding me doesn't change that.

Yeah.

I've been reacting badly.

But I got b*rned when I rushed into proposing to Ruby.

And then the whole Lemon thing... that's a mess all its own.

So I don't want to rush this time.

I understand that. I do.

And I don't want you to rush.

But it's hard for me to be in limbo, you know?

Yeah, I do.

I do.

That's why...

I cleared out a space for your jamming.

I mean, I know how important it is to you.

So that way, you can use it for your-your jars and your labels and your... pectin?

Yeah, I don't really understand the whole jam-making process.

But the point is, we're moving forward.

Just... slowly.

Thank you.

But to be honest, I don't think I'll be making quite as much jam anymore.

Hmm?

Hmm?

♪ We're flying, we're flying high ♪

(Country music playing)

♪ Darling, you look beautiful ♪
♪ Just flying ♪
♪ Your hand in mine ♪
♪ Won't you come with me tonight? ♪
♪ I want to go down... ♪

Hey.

Looks like Joel's writer's block is finally broken.

Yeah, he's hardly looked up for two hours.

Not even when busty Sally dropped her pen.

Hmm, so I guess he didn't need to relax.

And he didn't need to work through it.

He just needed a grand adventure.

We were both wrong.

Apology accepted.

What? That was not an apology!

♪ You look beautiful just flying... ♪

It feels good to be a winner.

(Chuckles)

Are you sure about that?

I don't have anything to hide.

Hey!

You two are...?

With the kissing and the hands...?

Did we know about this?

Yup.

(Clears throat)

Oh.

(Exhales)

It's a start.

(Chuckles)

(Clears throat)

Hey.

Hi.

I don't mean to interrupt, but how's it going?

I have never written anything so fast.

My fingers are literally burning.

So, good?

Yeah, I don't mean to jinx anything, but I actually like what I'm writing.

And by the way, in case I haven't said it, there is no way that I could've gotten through all this without your support.

Are you sure?

'Cause there's a fine line between being pushy and supportive.

And apparently most of the time, I can come down on the wrong side of it.

You're a doctor.

You fix things.

I love that about you.

Well, you are an artist.

And I need to let you have your own process.

You know, I can't keep browbeating you into mine.

Hey, dude, you want to come over tomorrow night?

I got, uh, Motorbike Mayhem 4.

It's supposed to have way more mayhem than 3.

Actually, I promised the Truitt brothers that we'd go skeet sh**ting.

Mayhem and skeet sh**ting?

Don't you think it'd be smarter to keep the momentum going, and start on chapters four through six?

That was pushy, wasn't it?

Oh, yeah.

Little bit.

♪ Flying ♪
♪ We're flying high. ♪

(Hammers banging nearby)

Shelby: I don't want the sequins getting all dusty.

And, Ramon, we have got to do something about this floor.

It is all slanted.

Look, I'm, like, lopsided.

Uh, I'm just gonna slide right into the crowd.

So, just to confirm, that is the woman that you were engaged to, and the one that you broke up with?

Uh-huh.

Is this thing on?

(Hums)

How long ago was that?

Uh... uh, six... s-seven months.

(Singsongy): Don't put that box over there.

Well, I'm not the doctor here, but that looks about right.

These acoustics suck.

But you're so cute!

Oh, my Lord.